Suction nozzle



March 3, 1936. Q F. J. R. KARLSTRGM ,756

SUCTION NOZZLE Filed March 25, 1933 2 SheetsSheet l 2/ INVENTOR ATTORNEY Mar h 3, 936- F. J. R. KARLSTIC'JM SUCTION NOZZLE Filed March 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1936 SUCTION NGZZLE Fredrik Johan Robert Karlstniim, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to Eieetrolux Corporation, Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 25, 1933, Serial No. 662,638) In Germany April 15, 1932 14 Claims.

My invention relates to the .vacuum cleaner art and particularly to an improved suction nozvzle for use in this art.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a suction nozzle having an agitator member therein for striking the carpet or other material being cleaned in order to dislodge dirt therefrom, the agitator member being actuated by vibrations set up by an unbalanced rotary member, for instance a turbine, whichis operated by the air drawn through the nozzle. A nozzle of this type may be used in connection with a vacuum cleaner unit to which it is connected by a flexible hose or the like, as well as in a vacuum cleaner in which the nozzle is integral with or rigidly secured to, the rest of the cleaner. Due to the fact that there is no mechanical connection between the agitator member and the motor of the cleaner, the motor cannot be injured if foreign material gets caught in the agitator. Likewise, the'agitator will not injure such material inasmuch as it will be stopped thereby.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and of which:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view, partially in cross-section along the line l-| of Fig. 2, showing one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and also showing a vacuum cleaner unit in smaller scale;

Fig. 3 is a top view of part of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front view of a portion of the device shown in Figs. 1 through 3;

' Fig. 5 is a top view of a nozzle in accordance with a second embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the same nozzle;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

. .Fig. 9 is a view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of the device shown' in Figs. 6 through 8; and

Fig. 10 is across-sectional view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, reference character l0 designates generally a suction nozzle having an upper outlet opening adapted to be'connected by suitable means, such as a rigid hollow handle member I I and a flexible tube l2 with a vacuum cleaner unit l3. Vacuum cleaner unit 58 is of known type and comprises a casing enclosing a motor-driven fan for producing a suction, and hence flow of air through tube l2. See for example, U. S. Patent No. 1,860,885 to Bilde dated May 31, 1932. A suitable dust separating member is mounted within the vacuum cleaner casing and the air drawn into the casing is passed through this member in order to sepa= rate entrained dust therefrom.

Nozzle it comprises an elongated casing formed of two parts it and in divided along a longitudinal line. The part it be referred to as a forward part and the part id as a rear part. The two parts are suitably secured together by means of bolts iii. The lower edges of the two parts define a mouth piece or suction or inlet opening ll. These two parts, together with the member it form a. mouth piece. The opening i1 is the primary inlet opening. The lower outer sides of parts M and it are made with cylindrical surfaces. The inner side walls of member l8 are made with a similar cylindrical surface and the member is secured to part M by means of bolts l9 which are located at the center of the aforesaid cylindrical surfaces'. Thus, the parts i4 and i5 may be tilted by the handle i 6 while the member It remains flat on the surface being cleaned.

Arranged within the nozzle i0 is an agitator member which comprises an elongated bar 2| extending substantially the entire length of opening ll. Bar 2i is provided at either' end with upstanding projections 22, while adjacent to, and on either side of, its center there are vertically extending arms 22 joined together at their upper ends by a horizontal member or part 24. To each of members 22 is suitably secured one end of similar spring members 25. These spring members extend horizontally from projections 22 for a substantial distance and then vertically for a short distance and then horizontally again to engage the-upper ends of arms 23. At the points where the spring members extend vertically they are suitably secured to the forward part ll of the casing by means of bolts 26. These spring members thus resiliently support the agitator member 20 and permit limited motion thereof in a vertical direction.

Secured to the central point of arm 24 is a. stud bolt 21 upon which is journalled by means of ball bearings 28 a turbine rotor 29. Rotor 29 is formed with inclined blades 30 around substantially all of its periphery. At one point however the rotor is made solid or heavier, as is shown at 2 I whereby it is unbalanced and hence tends to set up vibrations when rotated. It will be noted that the turbine rotor is mounted directly on the resiliently supported agitator member and hence vibrations of the turbine rotor will be communicated directly to the agitator.

A portion of forward part i4, which is directly in front of rotor 25 is provided with auxiliary clean air inlet openings 32. Suitably secured within the forward part |4 between the openings 32 and the rotor 29 is a plate 33 formed with guide vanes 34 for suitably directing the air against the inclined blades 35 of the rotor to cause the latter to rotate. A plate 35 is clamped between parts l4 andi5 behind the turbine rotor and extends the entire length of the nozzle. Directly behind the rotor, plate 35 is provided with apertures 35 through which the air discharged from the rotor passes. Plate 35 may also be provided with apertures 31 laterally disposed with respect to the turbine, which aper tures also serve to discharge air, and thus prevent the formation of dead air pockets where dust would be apt to settle.

The lower edges 35 of plate35 serves as a rear guide member for bar 2|. Forward part M of the casing is formed with a forward guide member 38 and with end guide members 45. Guide members 35, 35 and 45 in conjunction with springs 25 constrain the movement of agitator member 25 to a vertical direction.

The operation of the above described device is as follows;

The fan in the vacuum cleaner unit i3 serves to draw air through the nozzle and through hollow handle II and tube |2. A portion of this air enters the nozzle through the inlet opening i1 and carries withit dust and dirt from the rug or other surface over which the nozzle is passed. Another portion of the air enters the nozzle through clean air inlet openings 32 and is directed by guide vanes 34 against the blades 35, thereby causing rotation of the turbine rotor 29. Inasmuch as this rotor is unbalanced, it vibrates, which vibrations are communicated directly to the agitator member 25, on which the rotor is mounted. Inasmuch as agitator member 25 is resiliently supported by springs 25 it in turn is caused to vibrate. These vibrations are constrained to a vertical direction by the guide members 35, 39 and 45 and by the construction of springs 25. Springs 25 are so designed as to support the bar 2| of the agitator member above the plane of the lower edges of member |5 when the device is at rest, and to prevent the bar 2| from vibrating with sufllcient amplitude to reach this plane. However, the suction serves to draw the carpet or other material being cleaned upwardly above this plane so that it is struck repeatedly by the agitator member. This serves to dislodge dirt from the carpet, which dirt is then readily picked up by the air and carried to the vacuum cleaner unit l3. The springs 25 store up energy when they are stressed and move the agitator member in the opposite direction in becoming unstressed. v

Due to the fact that the bar 2| of the agitator member does not move as far as the plane of the lower edges of member it, the nozzle may be used for cleaning hardwood floors or the like, which should not be struck by the agitator.

In Figs. 5 through 10 there is shown a somewhat modifled embodiment of my invention wherein all of the air drawn through the nozzle is used to actuate the unbalanced rotary member. Likewise, all of the air is used for cleaning purposes.

, the nozzle. At each end of the nozzle the casing 55 is provided with projections to which are secured rollers 55 by means of bolts 55. These rollers, two in number, serve to support the mouth piece opening a suitable distanceabove the surface to be cleaned. Pivoted to the casing 55 by means of the bolts 55 at the rear corners thereof is a frame 51. Frame 51 carries an agitator member 58 which, when hinged into the casing 55, serves to substantially block oif the rear portion of the mouth piece opening 5|. Member 55 is provided at each end with a plate 59 which supports a stationary shaft 55. Journalled on the shaft 55 at the center thereof by means of a suitable bearing 5| is a cylindrical member 52. The outer surface of cylinder 52 is provided'with a plurality of undulated or zigzag strips 53 extending generally circumferentially around the cylinder. These strips thus provide zigzag passageways 54 between them. At each end cylinder 52 is provided with a weight 55, which weights are all on one side of the cylinder and thus cause it to be unbalanced.

A resilient member 55 is secured along its rear edge to the upper part of casing 55 and bears with its forward edge against the lower forward part of the casing. The central part of member 55 is formed as a'cylindrical surface of greater radius than the cylinder 52. Member 55 lies close to the outer edges of member 53 and thus causes the air drawn into the nozzle to pass through the zigzag passageways 54 between the member 53. In case a comparatively large article is drawn in by the suction, it can deform the member 55 sufficiently to pass the cylindrical member 52.

Frame 51 at each end is provided with a threaded aperture 51 while each end of casing 55 is provided with an aperture 55. Apertures 55 and 51 are in alignment when frame 51 is pivoted to within casing 55. A bolt 55 is adapted to pass through aperture 55 and to have threaded engagement with aperture 51. A spring 15 is secured at one end to bolt 55 and at the other end to bolt 59. The diameter of aperture 55 is larger than the diameter of bolt 55 whereby the bolt may have movement therein. Inasmuch as the rear end of spring 15 is held stationary by bolt 55, movement of bolt 55, and hence of agitator member 55, takes place against the action of the spring, which is thus stressed.

The operation of this modification is as follows:

When the coupling member 53 is connected to a suitable source of suction, such as the vacuum cleaner unit I 3 shown in Fig. 2, air is drawn in through the inlet opening 5|. This air is caused to pass through the zigzag passageway 54 because of the presence of member 55. The air passing through the passageway 54 strikes the inclined walls of members 53 and imparts rotation to them and to the cylindrical member 52. Inasmuch as member 52 is unbalanced by the weights 55, its

rotation results in the setting up of vibrations. These vibrations are communicated to the shaft 55 and the plates 59 to the agitator member 55.

ment is also restrained by springs 15 which, when stressed by movement of the agitator member t rotated by fiow of air to said source of suction,

in one direction, tend to return the agitator member to its original position.

The article being cleaned is drawn by the suction up into the mouth piece or inlet opening 5i where it is struck by the vibrating agitator member 58. This loosens dirt adhering to the material, which dirt is readily picked up by the air and carried to the nozzle and to coupling member 53 to the vacuum cleaner.

While I have shown and described two more or less specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that they are for purposes of illustration only and in no manner limit the scope of my invention, which is to be determined by the appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member movably supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening so as to be movable only in a constrained path toward and from said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member mounted on said agitator member and rotatable due to flow of air to said source of suction.

2. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member resiliently supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening so as to be movable only in a constrained path toward and from said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member mounted on said agitator member and adapted to be rotated by the flow of air to said source of suction.

. 3. In a suction nozzle, acasing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member, means for resiliently supporting said member in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening comprising spring members each secured at its ends to said agitator member and intermediately to said casing, and an unbalanced rotary member rotatable due to flow of air to said source of suction, said rotary member being mechanically connected to said agitator member to impart vibratory motion thereto.

4. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member, means for resiliently supporting said agitator member in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening comprising spring members each secured at its ends to said agitator member and at an intermediate point to said casing, and an unbalanced rotary member mounted on said agitator member-and adapted to berotated by the flow of air to said source of suction.

5. In a suction nozzle, a. casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member, means for resiliently supporting said agitator member in said casingadjacent to said inlet opening comprising spring members each secured at its ends to said agitator member and at an intermediate point to said casing, substantially all of each spring member extending in horizontal direction whereby said agitator member is capable of movement in vertical direction,

and an unbalanced rotary member adapted to be said rotary member being mechanically connected to said agitator member to impart vibratory motion thereto.

6. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member resiliently supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, guide means for constraining movement of said agitator member to a path toward and from said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member adapted to be rotated by flow of air to said source of suction, said rotary member being connected to said agitator member to impart a vibratory motion thereto.

7. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agita: tor member resiliently supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, guide means for constraining movement of said agitator member to a path toward and from said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member mounted on said agitator member and adapted to be rotated by air flowing to said source of suction.

8. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of, suction, an agitator member movably supported in said casing, an unbalanced cylindrical member rotatably mounted on said. agitator member, undulated strips forming undulated passages therebetween extending circumferentially of the surface of said cylindrical member, and means for directing the air drawn in through said inlet opening to pass tangentially to said cylindrical member through said passages on one side .thereof so as to impart rotation to said cylindrical member.

9. In a suction nozzle, a casing having an inlet opening and having an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member movably supported in said casing, an unbalanced cylindrical member rotatably mounted on said agitator member, undulated strips forming undulated passages therebetween extending circumferentially of the surface of said cylindrical member, and a flexible diaphragm secured to said casing and being tangent to the radial outer edges of said strips for directing the air drawn in through said inlet opening to pass tangentially to said cylindrical member through said passages on one side thereof so as to impart rotation to said cylindrical member.

10. In a suction nozzle, a casing having. an inlet opening and an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member movably supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening so as to be movable only in a constrained path toward and from said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member adapted to be rotated by flow of air to said source of suction, said rotary member being mechanically connected to impart .vibratory motion to said agitator member.

11. In a suction nozzle, a casing having a suction inlet opening adapted to be passed over a surface to be cleaned and an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member movablysupported with respect to said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member adapted to be rotated by flow of air which has passed through said inlet opening, said rotary member being connected to impart vibratory motion to said agitator member.

12. In a suction nozzle, a casing having a suction inlet opening adapted to be passed over a surface to be cleaned and an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member movably supported with respect to said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, and an unbalanced vibratory rotary member mounted on said agitator member and rotatable due to flow of air which has passed through said inlet opening.

13. In a suction nozzle, a casing having a suction inlet opening adapted to be passed over a surface to be cleaned and an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member resiliently supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, and an unbalanced rotary member adapted to be rotated by flow of air which has passed through said inlet opening, said rotary member being connected to impart vibratory motion to said agitator member.

14. In a suction nozzle, a casing having a suction inlet opening adapted to be passed over a surface to be cleaned and an outlet opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator member resiliently supported in said casing adjacent to said inlet opening, and an unbalanced vibratory rotary member mounted on said agitator member and rotatable due to the fiow of air which has passed through said inlet opening.

FREDRIK JOHAN ROBERT KARLSTRCDM. 

